withdrawals as a parent

[MrsP21]

Hi all, first time poster. Looking for help and support.

I have chronic pain and am coming off ALL my medications to try yet another one that could or couldn't work. Currently I'm taking 6 different meds and will be on only one when it's all over and done with. I'm coming off with the help of a GP, and tapering off as slow as I can as far as I know of.

My question is, how do you cope with withdrawals AND be a parent? My son is 18 months old and is in care 2 days a week. My husband works full time and we have support from our parents and daycare.

Please send help, I'm only in week 1 out of at least 15.

[jtjt_4862]

Hi MrsP21,

Welcome to the forums. Glad to have you here with us :).

I hope you wouldn't mind me seeking some clarification. When you mention withdrawals, would you be able to further elaborate on this? If I'm guessing this right, your concern is that, you're currently comfortable with the six kinds of medications that you're taking to ease your chronic pain. By switching over to one new medication, you're concerned that the medication might not be as effective as your other 6 medications, and your chronic pain may return. This is causing you to feel uneasy, and wanting to go back to taking those 6 medications?

My apologies if I've stated something wrong. I'm happy to listen to you more if you'd like to share more about your concerns.

Jt

[Sophie_M]

Hi MrsP21, 

Welcome to the forums, and thank you for sharing this here. This sounds really difficult. It sounds like there is a lot going on for you. We can imagine that with chronic pain and changes to your medication it can be really difficult to foresee how you will manage. We're glad to hear that you have the support of family members and regular daycare. We'd definitely recommend talking to your GP about these concerns, and keeping up with them as you go through the process.

Please know that we are here for you, for any moment you want to talk things through, or if you have any thoughts or feelings that you don't want to feel alone with. You can always call us on 1300 22 4636, our team are here for you 24/7 to talk it through on the phone or via webchat.  

Are you able to reach out to family and let them know things might be extra hard in the coming weeks? 

We hope you can find some comfort, advice and understanding on the forums. Please feel free to keep sharing, if you feel comfortable.  

Kind regards,  

Sophie M 

[Croix]

Dear MrsP21~

It's been a few days since your last response, I hope they were useful. What I'm going to say may not be quite what you would like but I think it represents the truth -and you deserve that.

When one is a parent - a good and caring one -your kids' welfare is the most important thing, and it's your job to keep is to keep it going so they are OK.

That's fine when all is well, in your case you are not, but, like me, have fallen into the trap of expecting the same from yourself when well - even though you are commencing a very hard time that may disable you further for a while.

You can only do what you can, and in actual fact the problem is not yours all alone. If you think anything else you will not only have the limitations that cause you to take medications, but also the added burden of feeling you are letting your kids and others down, guilt and frustration.

In a way I'm in a similar situation - though not with kids. I'm constant pain most of the time due to a spine condition and that limits my movement. I have to say no to jobs that otherwise I'd do. Accept less responsibility, rely on others to do the chores I believe are mine - and so on.

I've become adapted to thinking that I'll do what I can, but it is up to others to do the rest. Mind you it took me a fair while to come to this mental place. Hopefully in 15 weeks things will be different and you will not be so limited.

Just changing meds, which I've done a lot has its own difficulties, I hope the trial of the new drug does what you need and during the change you are able to keep the light at the end of the tunnel in view.

I guess if it was me a family conference might be a start, lay out what your abilities and moods might be and see if you can get all to work together realistically expecting what might happen. Remember it is not all up to you.

Do you think that is something to think over?

You love our kids and are worried about their welfare and your ability to look after them during this period. Not all kids have such a mum who really cares.

You are welcome here anytime, please let us know how you go

Croix